David Richardson (priest)

David Richardson ChStJ
Born	Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Anglican priest

David John Leyburn Richardson ChStJ (Chaplain of the Order of St John) is an Australian-born Anglican priest and former cathedral dean who is currently the director of the Anglican Centre in Rome.

Early life and ministry

David Richardson was born in Queensland, Australia, but spent most of his childhood in England in North Devon and then the Midlands where his father worked as a priest. He finished his schooling in Brisbane.

After studying English literature at the University of Queensland, Richardson studied theology at St Barnabas’ College in Adelaide and then received his postgraduate diploma in pastoral theology at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Richardson remained in the United Kingdom and served a curacy at Great St Mary’s Church, the "University Church" in Cambridge, while also becoming a chaplain at Girton College in the university from 1976 to 1979. He then returned to St Barnabas’ College as sub-warden where he taught New Testament studies, liturgy and pastoral care and spirituality until 1982. For the next five years, Richardson was the rector of Christ Church in St Lucia, Brisbane.

Cathedral dean

In 1988 Richardson was invited to become the Dean of St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide at which he served for 11 years before becoming the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne in 1999. As dean, he led a multi-million dollar public appeal to restore the cathedral's spires and improve the interior of the building. His contribution is commemorated by the stone sculpture of his head by Melbourne artist Smiley Williams on one of the cathedral's spires.

On his departure from St Paul's in 2008, the cathedral chapter awarded him the title of Dean Emeritus. This honour recognises his ministry in two metropolitan cathedrals, his achievement in restoring the building of St Paul’s Cathedral and his ministry which built up the attendances and finances in Melbourne.^[1]

Richardson was for 10 years the clerical representative for Australia on the Anglican Consultative Council (1992–2002). For 25 years he also served on the Australian National Liturgical Commission and was its executive secretary for 15 years. He also served for 15 years on an ecumenical body, the Australian Consultation on Liturgy.

Current role

In December 2007, Richardson was appointed as the representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to the Holy See and the director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. He was installed in his new position by Archbishop Williams on 7 May 2008 in a ceremony in the Church of Santa Maria Spora Minerva.^[2]

Personal

Richardon's interests include poetry, cooking, cars, cricket and gardening.

References

1. ^ http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au/dean.html St Paul's Cathedral website - Dean's Diary
2. ^ Anglican Communion News Service: Archbishop of Canterbury - 'friendly meeting' with Pope Benedict

External links

• Anglican Centre in Rome website

Persondata
Name	Richardson, David John Leyburn
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Date of birth
Place of birth	Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Date of death
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